The advice I read yesterday, was to hire based on attitude, not aptitude, as skills can be taught, but passion and vision cannot. I disagree. A medium size company wanting an environment of passion and vision would definitely need an executive team of passionate visionaries with compatible passions and vision. That’s where it all begins, and they then have to inspire the workforce to join with them with similar passion and vision – for the same things. Passion and vision is not enough, it has be compatible with the organization. Because it is specific, it can be taught – the principles at least. More realistically, the passion and vision would have to be inspired, and the executive team would be the inspirers, the respected and beloved leaders. A very tough challenge, but if the executives have the right temperament and dynamic qualities (attitude) it could work.

You would still need to hire or appoint the executives based on their skills. They must have the best skills to run the business and make superb decisions at every point. A passionate team that does not know what it is doing, will not inspire passion in others – employees will shake their heads in disbelief and not want to be drawn in to a losing formula. Employees are more likely to develop passion in their opposition and lack of respect for the direction of the executives. It can go either way depending on the circumstances. To ensure the circumstances are correct, we need to hire executives for their business and people skills and leadership ability to inspire passion.

Maybe (looking at more junior positions) the employees and managers had been hired for the passion they showed at the interview and possibly the passion was real. Passion, however, is not transferable. It is very individual and may have little to do with work– it could even be passion against big business. The person with passion (whatever subject) may, at the interview, be very good in redirecting that passion in the way he/she thinks will impress the interviewer, but more as a role play. At work, the person with passion may have a high capability of becoming passionate about the business. The middle management group, in particular, will follow the lead of the executives and be able to detect if the executives are truly sincere. If the executives are not sincere, the managers will similarly play a role laced with feigned passion and often contradictory, as is common in many organizations. They may also become very angry with the employees if they are not showing TRUE passion and acting as visionaries – making brilliant suggestions etc.

The highest potential for passion, however, is at the regular employee level. Placing all the emphasis on hiring people with great attitude is not the best formula, particularly if they have been satisfied in another environment that may now be an idealized comparator. They should be hired for their ability to perform the job. Doing well in the job and working in a great environment is a good formula to ignite some passion. Failing in the job will dissipate enthusiasm and the great attitude could turn sour.

The employees with the greatest potential for passion are those who have been given hope, some for the first time, after long periods of disappointment, rejection, and disillusionment. Candidates who, for various reasons, are rarely selected, although their qualifications are excellent. The company looking for passion has to give employees something to be passionate about and hiring fairly based on the job requirements is a good start. If you are looking to import passion, you are unlikely to hire these people, but if your company, founded on passion, meets needs and inspires confidence of regular people, their passion will follow and be sincere and unqualified in an environment of mutual trust.

Great leaders in society, now and in the past, gave hope to the masses and inspired them to listen and follow and pass on the message. If through fair hiring practices we hire people of many different backgrounds, age, sex, race etc. , and give them passion for our organization through our great practices and great leadership, it will directly and indirectly give passion and following (including sales) within the communities we represent.

If we can hire from the widest pool of candidates (we could use outreach) and transform people from society rejects to super performers, we will be ahead of the competition and beloved by all. It is not easy, but history has shown it is the right way – appeal to the uncommitted and earn their support and passion. It is not easy, but may well be worth the investment, including a strong, capable HR Department that is responsive to needs. The success and sustainability of the organization may also be guaranteed (as far as possible) by the commitment and passion of the employees to do whatever they can to ensure the company they love will never fail.

Some name

Independent Human Resources Professional located in Toronto, Canada and providing a full range of Human Resources services including small business support and acting as a Volunteer Community Mediator.

Thank you so much. I think I am also an example of someone who was shown the way and taught that all the excitement and desire to make things happen needs to be focused in a special way to make sure it is fulfilled passion and not "head against the wall" frustration.

Your line that really struck me was "This was also someone who can work within a system that is shockingly stuck in its way of doing things". I learned that waiting to be noticed is too optimistic. I learned some basic politics and what can work in an imperfect organizational system (without compromising too much). Most of all I learned how to effectively find my way around and work within a system shockingly stuck in its ways and actually make things happen that people liked and wanted to be part of. It was a great feeling and I do thank my early mentor for teaching me the real "reality". My career went in a different direction, but I remained in contact with him until he died about two years ago.

Thank you so much, Susan, for sharing your experience in such a helpful way and for such excellent and helpful points.

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The employees with the greatest potential for passion are those who have been given hope, some for the first time, after long periods of disappointment, rejection, and disillusionment. Candidates who, for various reasons, are rarely selected, although their qualifications are excellent."

A very true statement, Ian. I think I fall into that category. I am passionate about HR and its various fields and want to inspire those around me. People talk about being passionate about their jobs, their field, and that's good; however, that passion needs to be demonstrated by "MEETING NEEDS, GIVING HOPE AND SHOWING RESPECT AND TRUST...” And that must be done day in and day out.

I had the great fortune of whiling away my time for the first several months of my most current job. By and by, the Manager took a sick leave (to retire later due to health reasons) and a new Manager was brought it on a temporary basis. What a firecracker! This was someone I wanted to work for and with. This was someone who would see my potential and allow me to grow (and she has). This was also someone who can work within a system that is shockingly stuck in its way of doing things; that has groups of people (similar to unions as they negotiate processes and procedures) decide how things will be and don't seem too interested in changing. My passion has abated just a bit. I still want to do my best, meet the needs of my organization, provide hope to the customers that the job will get done (right) and show respect. But it is harder. I must be one of those who is always railing against the tide, wanting to change thing for the better (well, at least in my mind).

Passion and vision can be shared and by sharing absorbed (taught) and that passion and vision can spread. We need more teachable moments in the workplace--ones that not just teach a process but also demonstrate a passion for the job and a vision for the company. I know they exist and I know there are folks out there who want to share.